Elder tree

Discussion in 'Trees' started by Fat Controller, May 10, 2015.

  1. Fat Controller

    Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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    I have an elder in my garden - not a particularly good one, as its an odd shape and I am not really a fan either, however I am stuck with it; anyway, today I was looking at it and it is absolutely laden with blackfly.

    Now, I can hit it with the provado, but I won't be able to get all that much of it - is provado enough in its systemic operation to get rid?
     
    Fat Controller, May 10, 2015
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  2. Scrungee

    Scrungee Well known for it

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    Why not hook it out? If you want Elderflowers for cordials, wine, fritters, jelly, etc. or Elderberries for cordials, jam, wine, etc., just go to a local hedgerow and use precious garden space for something else?
     
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  3. Fat Controller

    Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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    I rent - trees that collapse or die by natural causes I save a photo of and then replace, however other have to remain
     
    Fat Controller, May 10, 2015
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  4. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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    Just hit it with a basic insecticide, green fly are easy to kill.:smile::smile:
     
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      pete, May 10, 2015
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    • Sheal

      Sheal Total Gardener

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      Spray it with diluted washing up liquid FC, that will kill them off. They may stick to the tree for a couple of days but then drop off or you could wash them off with a hose after a day or so.
       
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        Sheal, May 10, 2015
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      • KingEdward

        KingEdward Gardener

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        I don't understand why this is even a problem. You don't even like the tree and the aphids are hardly going to kill it - within a few weeks chances are they'll have been slaughtered by ladybirds etc. whose numbers are slower to build up in the spring. Aphids are also good food for various insectivorous birds.

        It's stupid to go wantonly spraying toxic chemicals round the garden for no good reason.
         
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        • Fat Controller

          Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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          I was thinking more of the damage they are doing to other plants currently, or may do as the year goes on and I plant stuff out.

          I would rather not resort to chemicals (hence asking) and will most likely go with Sheal's idea
           
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          • mr c

            mr c Gardener

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            you do know if you cut it down to the ground, it'll come back as a nice bush.
            How big is it,maybe its keeping the fly of your crops
             
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            • Fat Controller

              Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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              It is about 12ft, but its a scrawny old thing - not much shape to the canopy at all. I must admit that I never considered that it might be deterring the aphids from other stuff purely by keeping them occupied. :)
               
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